Steve Stauffer's Plein Air Workshop

A Juried Photography Competition & Exhibition

Capture the "First Light" of our region


We invite photographers to journey back in time and document the raw, natural beauty of Box Elder County as it existed in 1776.


The Vision


Before modern development transformed the horizon, these lands were the ancestral home of the Shoshone and Ute peoples. The Silent Witnesses project seeks to visualize that untouched era. We are looking for high-quality landscape photography that captures the spirit of the 18th-century West—images where the modern world disappears, leaving only the timeless essence of the land.


Prize Tiers - Showcase your talent and compete for significant cash prizes:


  • First Place: $500
  • Second Place: $250
  • Third Place: $100


Important Dates


  • Submissions Open: March 15, 2026
  • Deadline for Entries: May 15, 2026
  • Exhibition Debut: May 22–23, 2026 (Special Exhibit at the Art on Main Festival)
  • Summer Public Display:  June -July 2026 (Chamber of Commerce Building)


Why Participate?


Selected works will not only be part of a physical exhibition during the July 4th holiday but will also be featured in a Permanent Digital Gallery on our tourism website. This is your chance to create a lasting legacy for America’s 250th anniversary by connecting modern visitors to the ancient roots of the American West.


Subject Matter


Focus on the rural and wilderness areas of Box Elder County. We encourage photographers to explore creative ways to frame the landscape to exclude modern infrastructure, seeking an authentic look at the territory as it stood centuries ago.


How to Apply:


This special exhibit is part of the Birds of Bear River Photography Exhibit at Art on Main. In order to participate, you will need to apply at the link below.